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J. A. 'H OPKINSON. FLUE TUBE POR STEAM BOILERS.

No. 305,593. Patented Sept. 23, 1884. Fzyn].

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'JfA. HOPKINSON. PLUE TUBE FOR STEAM BOILERS- j No. 305,593. Patented' Sept. 23, 1884.

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J. HOPKINSO N. PLUE TUBE FOR STEAM BOILERS.

No. 305,593. Patented Sept. 23, 1884.

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ATENT H JOHN ADDY HoPKiNsoiv, or HUDDERSFI-ELD, ENGLAND, Assrenon or ONE-HALF ro Josnrn HOPKINSON, or SAME PLACE.

FLUE-TUBE FOR STEAM-BOILERS.

EAPLECIFIGAEIQN tarming part ofLetter-s Patent No. 305,593, dated September 23%, 1884. Application filed Noi'einber (i, I893. (No model.) Patented in England May 1, 1983, Ne. 1,209.

T 0 (0M rah/0712 it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN ADDY HOPKIN- sort, of Huddersfield, England, engineer, have invented new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Flues or Flue-Tubes for Steam- Boilers, (for which I have obtained a patent in Great Britain No. 2,209, bearing date May 1, 1883,) of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to fines or flue-tubes for steam-boilers. j

One part of my said invention consists in so constructing the said flue-tubes that separate strengthening hoops, rings, or flanges may be dispensed with and conical or other water-circulating tubesor pipes can be readi] y inserted and efficiently secured in the said flue-tubes.

Another part of my invention, which is applicable, generally, to flues having transverse cir culating-pipes, is designed to provide means whereby the flame and heated products of combustion will be more effectually caused to impinge upon the surfaces of the said fines and (i rculating-pipes than in any heretofore k nown or existing arrangements of such ii ues and pipes.

According to my invention 1 construct a fluetube with one or more longitudinallyprotuberant bulbous or convex portions-that is to say, with a portion or portions whereof the longitudinal section is delineated by convex lines, the curves being preferably seg ments of a circle. At one end (in some instances at each end) of the said curved por; tion is a ring somewhat resembling in appearance a so-ealled Bowling hoop, but made integral with the flue-tube instead of being riveted thereto. The circulatingpipes are inserted in the largest part of the said protuberant or curved portions, and are riveted, welded, or otherwise secured in the same. By constructing the flue-tubes in this manner I impart to them great strength, and injoining two lengths of tubel require only one line of ring-seam rivets instead of the two lines of such rivets which are required with hoops applied in the ordinary manner. To increase the useful effect "of the heat in the due, I provide,in combination with one or more of the circulating-pipes, devices which I term bat'tle-plates-that is to say, semi circular or other suitably-shaped plates which serve to retard and distribute the heat. The said plates are so formed that they occupy the greater part of the erosssectiona-l area of the line, so that they will close the line with the exception of passages or spaces, hereiii'af ter described. But the said plates are fitted to turn upon or around or partially around the circulating-pipes, so that they can be adjusted to regulate the area of the tluespacc, or can be set parallel with the axis of the fluetube to permit a man to pass through the latter on either side of the circulating-pipe.

My improvements are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a longitudinal central section of a tube to serve either as a boiler furnace or fllueor any part thereof. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section got a similar tube provided with a transverse circulating-pipe. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal -ection ot' a tine-tube, constructed with two 1 tuberant-or bulbous portions, and rings or hoops formed integrally therewith, the said tube being provided with transverse circulating-pipes. Figs. 3 3" illustratemodifications in the construction of these tubes. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of a flnewith a circulating-pipe fitted with the aforesaid battle plates. Fig. '5 is a transverse section of Fig.

4. Fig. 6 is a side view illustrating a modification in the construction of these baffleplates. i

Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the drawings.

a a are the protuberant or bulbous portions of the tube. 1) b are therings or hoops formed integrally with the same. 0 0 are the ends or plain portions through which. are passed the rivets for uniting these tubes when two or more of them are required to form a boiler-flue. In the form of tube shown in Fig. 3 the ends are constructed to make what we term a thimble lap-joint, which maybe riveted or welded. By our improved construction we obviate the necessity of providing at the ends of the bulbous portions of the tubes flanges which would be always liable to fracture at the angles by the expansion and contraction of the flue. Fig. 3", which is drawn to a reduced scale, shows a complete boiler-flue con-. .sisting of tubes formed as in Fig. 3*. d d are the transverse circulating-pipes. e e are the baffle-plates mounted thereon. To support these plates I provide two rings or annular clamps, f, ofcast-iron or other suitable material formed in two pieces,so that they can be conveniently fitted upon the eirculatingpipes d, and secured by bolts and nuts or cotters. These clamps f are made with holes or recesses to receive projections g on the said plates, which are thus provided with pivots or hinges. The said baffle-plates e may be made of cast-iron, brick,

. fire-clay, tile, asbestus or other. suitable material. The said pivots permit each plate to be turned upon itsaxis, so as to present it to the action of the heated gases at any desired angle, and also permit it to be adjusted for enabling any person employed in cleaning the flue to turn the battle-plates parallel with the axis of the flue, so that he can pass conveniently through the flue at the side of the saidbafi'le plate. I prefer that the said baffie-plates should be so constructed and arranged as to leave a space between their straight or inner edges and the circulating-tubes on which they are mounted, to allow the heated gases to come in contact with the said circulating-tube and to pass between the same and the plates, so as to economize to the fullest extent the thoroughfare .of heat for evaporative duty. The manner of fixing or mounting the said battle-plates may be varied; but preferably, when the plates by passing bolts through holes extending from their outer to their inner sides, the said bolts being screwed into a metallic piece adjoin- In some instances I secure the said baffle-plates to the rings or annular supports ting the eirculatingtube; orI may adopt-any other convenient manner ofv securing the said plates and supporting them uponthe said rings, so that they will be adjustable with or upon the same.

It is obvious that I can apply this part of my said invention to the fiues of existing boilers in which circulating-tubes are employed.

Having thus fully described my said invention and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood that I do not claim, generally, the use in a boiler-flue of plates for baffling or obstructing the passage of the heat, I

as I am aware that such devices have been employed, although not in combination with the circulating-tubes as herein described, nor do I claim a corrugated tube nor a bulbous tube broadly; but 1 What I claim .is-

1. A'furnace or flue tube consisting of one or more protuberant, bulbous, or longitudinally-convex portions having formed integrally therewith, between its ends or meeting flanges, a raised portion, 1), resemblingin form a Bowling hoop or ring, substantially as described.

2. A furnace .or flue tube consisting of one or more protuberant, bulbous, or longitudinally e convex" portions having formed integrally therewith, between its ends or meeting flanges, a raised portion, Z), resembling in form a Bowling hoop or ring, in combination with transverse circulating-pipes passing, through the tubes and secured thereto, substantially as described.

'3. A heat-distributing or battling device consisting of a 1' plate or .plates of metal, fireelay, asbestus, brick, orl othersuitable material mounted Yadjustably. on av circulating pipe within a flue, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof Ihavehereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN ADDY HOPKINSON.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL, THAOKER'AY, 89 Bradford Road, North Huddersfield.

CARTER HOYLE, Prospect Street, Huddersfield. 

